1941 Dodge "Power Assist" shift option

[willysnut]

Hello members!

      I have a '41 Dodge with the unusual "Power Assist" shift option. I can't find much info on this.

     Can someone explain to me what it does exactly? I don't understand it's function or intent.

          Thanks, Bill

[Spinneyhill]

Here is what MoToR's Manual 1947 says about it.

Edited December 14, 2018 by Spinneyhill (see edit history)

[61polara]

It's the same as Chevrolet's vacuum shift used from 1941-1948.  It makes the gear shift leaver easer to move.  On Chevrolet, it also had a shorter shift throw.  I don't know if Chrysler shortened the throw as well.

[marty14]

I have a few parts for this system:

 

865906  TRANSMISSION POWER SHIFT CYLINDER (BOOT CRACKED)  1941-42

953781  POWER GEARSHIFT VALVE LEVER   1942

953790  POWER GEARSHIFT VALVE LEVER   1942 Chrysler

953838  POWER GEARSHIFT CYLINDER BRACKET   1942 C36

953840  H/B CABLE BRACKET    used with POWERSHIFT option  1942 Chrysler

 

these are NOS

 

 This option was available on all passenger cars from 1941-1942 according to my 1953 and prior part book

 

This option would have been relatively rare 

[willysnut]

Thank a lot fellas. I have an old MOTORS repair manual,  but my problem is, how does one operate this feature?

Here's what my original brochure says about it.

[61polara]

The Power Shift operates all the time.  It does to the gear shift leaver what power brakes do to a manual brake system...make it easier to move.  In the case of power shift or vacuum shift in a Chevrolet, you can use one finger to move the leaver.  That's all it is.